Loading and unloading device.



Patented N0v.30,1909.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

glvwantoz Wit" mow I V attozmmao I f T. FULLBRIGHT; LOADING AND UNLOADING DEVIGE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 17,1908.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

4 SHEETS-8HEET 2.

WMHHHHHHHHHW T; PULLBRIGHT.

LOADING AND UNLOADING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.17, 1908.

' 941,571 Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

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. T. FULLBRIGHT.

. LOADING AND UNLOADING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG 17,1908.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

tion may be resorted to within the THOMAS FULLBRIGHT, 0F MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CLARENCE B. BRYANT AND ONE-HALF TO MYRTLE L. BRYANT, BOTH 0F MUSKOGEE,

OKLAHOMA.

LOADING AND UNLOADING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS FULLBRIGHT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Muskogee, in the county of Muskogee and State of Oklahoma, have invented a new and useful Loading and Unloading Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to loading and un loading devices and more particularly to im proved mechanism for unloading coal from. cars and loading the same on steamships and other vessels.

The object of the invention is to provide a carriage or truck mounted for travel on a track above a coal car and provided with a shovel adapted to receive the coal from the car and deliver the same to a chute leading to the hold of a vessel as the carriage moves longitudinally of the car. i

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for tilting the shovel and maintaining the same in position to receive the coal, and means for elevating and dumping said shovel.

A further object is to provide means for determining the weight of each bucket or shovel of coal transferred from the car to the vessel.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efliciency.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form,

proportions and minor details of construcscope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a.

part of this specification :Figure 1 is a side elevation of an unloading device con structed in accordance with my invention showing the carriage in position above a coal car. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the- Fig. 3 1s a transverse sectional VIGW,

same. taken on the line A-A of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the'arrow. Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line B-B of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a detail diagrammatical view showing the manner of tilting the scoop or shovel. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the scoop or shovel in elevated position and turned to one side preparatory to dumping the contents thereof into the chute or conveyer. Fig. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the rear end of the carriage showing the arrangement of the winding drums, gearing and clutch mechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation of the yoke or drum showing the position of the scales for indicating the weight of the contents of the shovel or scoop.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the carriage.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

The improved unloading mechanism forming the subject matter of the present inven tion comprises a carriage mounted for travel on an elevated track 5 and consisting of spaced longitudinal sills 6 connected by front and rear axles 7 carrying. relatively large and small traction wheels 8 and 9, the small wheels 8 being arranged to travel on the elevated'rail 5 and the large wheels 9 arranged to travel on the lower track 10.

Secured in any suitable manner to the side rails 6 is a yoke or frame 11 including spaced uprights connected by a transverse bar 12 and between which are mounted for vertical movement suitable bearing blocks 13 connected by a transverse pin 14.

Pivotally mounted on the pin 14 is a pair of spaced arms 15 to the free ends of which are pivotally mounted depending links 16. The lower ends of the links 16 are pivoted to a cross bar 17 on which is swiveled a yoke or frame 18 carrying a scoop or shovel 19.

The yoke or frame 18 is pivotally attached to the shovel 19, as indicated at 20, while the side arms of the yoke are slidably mounted in suitable keepers 21 fastened to the scoop or shovel, as shown.

Mounted for oscillation in suitable bearings 22 at the rear of the frame 11 is a trans verse bar 23 to which are rigidly secured a pair of spaced segmental guides 24, the free ends ofwhich embrace the transverse pin 14.

Connecting the rear ends of the suspension arms 15 is a rock shaft 25, which extends through the slots 26 of the segmental guides 24 and is provided with terminal crank arms 27 for attachment to the arms 15.

The arms 15, together with the scoop or shovel 19, are normally and yieldably supported on the frame 11 by means of coiled springs 28, one end of each of which is secured to the adjacent bearing block 13, while the opposite ends of the springs are secured to the frame 11, as indicated at 30. These springs 28 not only serve to yieldably support or suspend the shovel 19 from the carriage but also serve to determine the weight of the load in the shovel, this being accomplished by means of a pointer 31 secured to one of the bearing blocks 13 and movable over the face of a graduated scale 33 on the yoke or frame 11.

Pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 33 depending from the side rails 6, at the rear of the frame 11, is a shovel tilting device 3st, arranged to bear against and tilt the shovel 19 so as to embed the active edge thereof into the coal or other material to be unloaded from the car, indicated at 35.

The shovel actuating member 34 is preferably in the form of a substantially rectangular frame having its lower or free end provided with a terminal cleat 36 arranged to bear against and tilt the rear end of the shovel 19 and form a rigid support for the shovel when the carriage travels on the track 5 above the car in the act of loading said shovel. v

Mounted on the rear end of the carriage is a frame 37 in which is journaled a main driving shaft 38, the latter being connected through the medium 'of a pitman 39 with the cross head 40, of an engine a1 or other suitable source of power.

Loosely mounted on the main driving shaft 38 is a drum &2 to which is secured one end of a cable 43, the opposite end of the cable being extended over a sheave or pulley 141- mountedion the frame 11 for attachment to the shovel 19, thereby to elevate the latter.

A clutch member 45 is mounted on the shaft 38 and arranged to engage a corresponding clutch member secured to the drum 412, the members of the clutch being moved into engagement with each other so as to key the drum 42 on the shaft 38 by means of a hand operated lever 16.

Arranged in front of the drum 4?. is a similar drum 47 to which is secured one end of a chain or cable 18, the opposite end of which passes over a sheave 48 and is secured to the rock shaft 25 so that when the drum 17 is rotated the cable 48 will exert a downward pull on the shaft 25 and thus lower the suspension arms 15 carrying the shovel against the tension of the springs 28 so that said shovel may be forced downwardly into the coal when the member 34: is actuated.

The drum 47 is secured to a shaft 419 ournaled in an auxiliary frame 50. The auxiliary frame 50 is slidably mounted on the side bars 51 of the frame 37 and is adjustable longitudinally of said frame by means of a lever 52 carried by a shaft 53.

The shaft 53 is journaled in the main frame 37, while the lever 52 is connected with the side bars of the auxiliary frame 50 by means of a connecting rod or wire 54- so that when the lever 52 is moved in the direction of the engine 40 the friction disks 55 on the drum 4-7 will engage the friction disks 56 on the drum 4:2 and thereby transmit motion from the main driving shaft to the drum 47 to effect the lowering of the shovel or scoop. The drum 417 is also provided with a ratchet wheel 57 which co-aets with a pawl 58 for locking the drum against rotation after the latter has moved the scoop to lowered position, there being a friction disk 58 also mounted on the drum 4C7 for controlling the rotation of the latter.

Mounted on the rear end of the carriage is an auxiliary engine 59 to the cross head of which is secured one end of a rod 60, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with the actuating member or frame 3 1: so that on the outward stroke of the cross head the rod 60 will be actuated to effect the movement of the frame 34 and thereby tilt the scoop downwardly in engagement with the coal.

Disposed on opposite sides of the shovel 19 and secured thereto in any suitable manner are coiled springs 61, which are also connected with the frame of the carriage and serve to normally and yieldably support the shovel in horizontal alinement with the carriage.

Secured to the shaft 53 is a drum 63 to which is fastened one end of a cable 64, the opposite end of which is attached to one side of the shovel 19 so that by rotating the drum 63, said shovel may be turned on its pivotal axis 65 at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the carriage, thereby to permit the contents of said shovel to be deposited in a chute 66 leading to the hold of the vessel. This chute 66 may be of any approved construction and is preferably mounted on one side of the carriage at a point adjacent the shovel 19 so as to be in convenient position to receive the load from the shovel when the latter is tilted.

As a means for imparting motion to the shaft 53, the latter is provided with a friction wheel or disk 66 arranged to engage a friction wheel or disk 56 carried by the drum 12 when the lever 52 is operated to shift the auxiliary frame 50. A clutch 67 is also secured to the shaft 53 and operated by a suitable handle 68 so as to permit free rotation of the shaft 53 without affecting the drum 63.

If desired, a drum similar in construction to the drum 63 may be arranged on the opposite end of the shaft 53 and connected through the medium of a cable with the opposite side of the shovel or scoop 19 so as to permit turning movement of said shovel in either direction.

As a means for imparting movement to the carriage, the shaft 38 is provided with a pinion 69 which meshes with a gear wheel loosely mounted on the frame, the latter serving to transmit motion from the pinion 69 to a gear 71 mounted on the rear axle of the track. A pair of clutch members 72 are also arranged on the shaft 38 in advance of the shaft 53 and actuated by a suitable hand lever 73 so that the movement of the carriage on the track 5 may be controlled at will.

F astened to the rear or closed end of the scoop 19 is a block 74 carrying a swivel arm 75 to which is secured a rod 7 6 having an eye in the upper end thereof to which is attached a cord or cable 77. The cord or cable 77 passes over a sheave or pulley 78 mounted on the cross bar 12, and thence extends downwardly for attachment to a drum 79 mounted on the end of the shaft 49.

A clutch 80 is carried by the shaft 49 so that the drum 79 may be keyed to said shaft, thereby to wind the cable 17 on the drum and effect the dumping of the scoop 19.

\Vhen the coal or other material is to be conveyed to any great distance an endless belt having the usual flights may be mounted on the conveyer, in which event, said endless belt will be rotated through the medium of a sprocket chain 81 engaging a sprocket wheel 82 secured to the outer end of the shaft 53.

A. boiler 83 is mounted on a platform 84 at the rear of the machine and is provided with one or more pipes or conductors 85 for supplying steam under pressure to the engines 41 and 59.

The operation of the device is as follows :The carriage is caused to ascend an inclined way leading to the over-head track 5 and positioned. over the car, the contents of which it is desired to unload. The engine 41 being in motion, the operator manipulates the lever 52 so as to cause the friction disk 55 of the drum 47 to engage the friction disk of the drum 42 thereby to impart motion to the drum 47 and thus cause the cable 48 to exert a downward pull on the shaft 25 and lower the suspension frame 15 and shovel 19 against the tension of the springs 28. The lever 52 is then moved in the opposite direction so as to disconnect the drums 42 and 47 and the engine 59 set in motion. 1

On the outward stroke of the cross head of the engine 59 the rod 60 will exert a longitudinal pressure on the frame 34 and thus cause the cleat 36 of said frame to engage the rear lower edge of the shovel 19 and tilt the latter to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, that is to say, with the active end of the edge of the shovel embedded in the coal or other material in the car 35. The handle 73 is then operated to close the clutch. 72 and thereby transmit motion from the main driving shaft 38 to the rear axle of the carriage so as to cause the latter to travel longitudinally on the track 5 above the car, the shovel or scoop 19 being held rigid by the frame 34 as the carriage travels on the track 5, thereby causing the coal to enter and fillthe scoop or shovel. The engine 59 is then reversed, which allows the shovel 19 to assume its normal horizontal position after which the drum 47 is rotated in the opposite direction so as to unwind the cable 48 and thus permit the suspension frame 15 and scoop 19 to partially ascend and in which position, it will be supported on the bearing blocks 13.

As the bearing blocks 13 are loosely mounted in the guides or standards 11 and supported solely by the springs 28, the weight of the load will be indicated on the graduated scale 32 by the index or pointer 31, in the manner before described. The clutch 45 is then manipulated so as to lock the drum 42 to the driving shaft and consequently, set said drum in motion, the cable 43 being thereby wound on the drum and the shovel 19 raised to a plane above the chute.

During the hoisting of the shovel, the cable 64 is held taut so that the shovel will be supported at both ends and, therefore, will not dump. After the shovel has been hoisted to the required height, it may be turned horizontally so as to stand at a. right angle to the longitudinal plane of the carriage by winding the cable 64 on the drum 63.

The shovel or scoop 19 being in'the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings and above the upper end of the chute G6, the dumping of the shovel is effected by manipulating the hand lever 84 to clutch the drum 79 011 the shaft 49, thus causing the cable 77 to tilt the shovel 19 on its pivotal axis 20 and deposit the load in the chute 66, which latter, conveys the coal to the hold of the vessel in the manner before described. After the dumping of the load is effected, the shovel is turned to a position in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the carriage by springs 61 and the drum 42 rotated to again lower the shovel. After the shovel is thus lowered the carriage is caused to travel to the front end of the car and the shovel again tilted downwardly in engagement with the coal by actuating the drum 47 and rod 60. The carriage is then caused to travel toward the rear end of the car so as to again load the scoop or shovel which latter is subsequently dumped in the chute 66, in the manner before described.

From the foregoing description, it is thought that the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1. The combination of a carriage, yield able supports on said carriage, vibratory sus pension arms pivoted to said supports, a shovel suspended from said arms, means for holding said arms normally elevated, means to release said holding means and lower the said arms, and means to raise and dump the shovel.

2. The combination of a carriage, yieldably supported vibratory suspension arms on the carriage, links depending from said arms, a cross-bar connecting said links, a

.shovel swiveled to said cross-bar, means for holding the arms normally elevated, means to release said holding means and lower the said arms, and means to raise said arms and dump the shovel.

3. In unloading mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, a frame forming a part of the carriage and provided with guides, bearing blocks slidably mounted in the guides, suspension arms carried by the bearing blocks, a shovel depending from the suspension arms, springs secured to the bearing blocks and frame, respectively, means for tilting the shovel, and means for elevating and dumping said shovel.

4. In unloading mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, a frame forming a part of the carriage and provided with guides, bearing blocks mounted for sliding movement in the guides, suspension arms pivotally mounted on the bearing blocks, a scoop depending from the suspension arms, means for yieldably supporting the bearing blocks within the guides, means for tilting the shovel when the latter is in lowered position, means for elevating the shovel, means for turning the shovel at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the carriage, and means for dumping the shovel.

5. In unloading mechanism, a track, a

carriage mounted for travel on the track and provided with a chute, a vertical frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing blocks yieldably supported on the frame, suspension arms pivotally mounted on the hearing blocks, a shovel depending from the suspension arms, an oscillating bar, segmental guides secured to the oscillating bar and embracing the pivotal axis of the suspension bars, a rock shaft connecting the suspension arms and slidably mounted between the segmental guides, means operatively connected with the rock shaft for lowering the shovel, means for tilting the shovel when in lowered position, and means for elevating and dumping said shovel.

6. In unloading mechanism,a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track and provided with a chute, an upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing members yieldably supported in the upright frame, suspension arms pivotally connected with the bearing members, a shovel depending from the forward ends of the suspension arms, a rock bar mounted for oscillation on the frame, segmental. guides secured to the rock bar and embracing the pivotal axis of the suspension arms, a rock shaft connecting the suspension arms and extending through the segmental guide, a winding drum, a flexible connection between the drum and rock shaft for lowering the shovel, means for tilting the shovel and supporting said shovel in tilted position as the carriage travels over the track, means for elevating the shovel, means for positioning the mouth of the shovel above the chute, and means for dumping the contents of the shovel into said chute.

7. In unloading mechanism, a t ack, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, an uprightframe forming a part of the carriage, bearing members slidably mounted on the frame, a transverse pin connecting the bearing members, suspension arms pivotally mounted on said pin, a shovel depending from the suspension arm, springs forming a yieldable connection between the frame and bearing members, a graduated scale, a pointer operatively connected with one of the bearin members and movable over the surface of the scale for indicating the weight of the load, means for raising and lowering the shovel, means for tilting the shovel when in lowered position, and means for turning said shovel when in elevated position.

8. In unloading mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, an upright frame formin part of the earriage, a shovel supported on the upright frame, means for raising and lowering the shovel, a frame pivotally mounted on the carriage and arranged to engage the rear "end of the shovel when the latter is in lowered position for tilting said shovel, a motor, and a connection between the motor and the pivoted frame for actuating the latter to tilt the shovel.

9. In unloading mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, an upright frame forming a part of the earriage, a shovel pivotally mounted on the frame, means for raising and lowering the shovel, a frame pivotally mounted on the carriage and adapted to engage the rear end of the shovel for forcing the active end of the shovel in engagement with the material to be unloaded, a motor, a connection between the motor and pivoted frame for effecting the tilting of the shovel, means for normally and yieldably supporting the shovel in horizontal alinement with the carriage, and means for turning the shovel at an angle to the longitudinal plane of said carriage when the shovel is elevated.

10. In unloadin mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, an

upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing blocks slidably mounted in the uprights, springs for yieldably supporting the bearing blocks in said upright, suspension arms pivotally connected with the bearing blocks, a cross head depending from the forward ends of the suspension arms, a shovel on the cross head, means connected with the rear ends of the suspension arms for depressing the bearing blocks against the tension of the spring to lower the shovel, means for tilting the shovel and supporting said shovel in tilted position as the carriage travels over the track, and means for elevating and dumping the shovel.

11. In unloading mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, an upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing members yieldably supported in theeframe, suspension arms pivotally connected with the bearing members, a shovel depending from the forward end ofthe suspension arms, a rock bar journaled on the frame, segmental guides secured to the rock bar and operatively connected with the suspension arms, a rock shaft connecting the suspension arms and extending through the segmental guides, a winding drum, a cable connecting the rock bar and winding drum to lower the suspension arms, a fluid pressure actuating device for tilting the shovel, means for elevating the shovel, and means for dumping the latter.

12. In unloading mechanism, a track, a carriage mounted for travel on the track, an upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing members slidably mounted in the upright frame, suspension arms pivotally mounted on the bearing members, a shovel depending from the forward ends of the suspension arms, a rock bar, segmental guides secured to the rock bar and embracing the pivotal axis of the suspension arms, a rock shaft connecting said arms and extending through the segmental guides, relatively stationary and movable frames mounted on the carriage, a winding drum mounted in each frame and each provided with a friction disk, a source of power operatively connected with one of the drums, a cable leading from said drum to the shovel for elevating said shovel, a cable connecting the mats ing drum and rock shaft for lowering the shovel, a tilting frame pivotally mounted on the carriage, a motor, and a connection between the motor and tilting frame for moving the latter in engagement with the shovel, thereby to force the active end of said shovel into engagement with the material to be unloaded.

13. In unloading mechanism, a carriage having front and rear axles each provided with a plurality of sets of wheels of different sizes, a chute extending from one side of the carriage, an upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing members yieldably supported on the frame, a pin connecting said bearing members, suspension arms pivotally mounted on said pin, a shovel depending from the suspension arms, means operatively connected with the rear ends of the arms for lowering the shovel, means for tilting the shovel when in lowered position, and means for elevating and dumping the shovel.

14. In unloading mechanism, a carriage mounted for travel on an over-head track above a car to be unloaded, a chute extending laterally from the carriage, an upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing blocks slidably and yieldably mounted on the upright frame, suspension arms pivotally connected with the bearing blocks, a shovel depending from the forward end of the suspension arms, means operatively connectedfwith the rear ends of said arms for lowering the shaft, means for tilting the shovel when in lowered position, means for elevating the shovel, means for turning the shovel to a position above the chute, and means for dumping the shovel.

15. In unloading mechanism, a carriage having front and rear axles provided with wheels of different sizes, a chute carried by the carriage, an upright frame forming a part of the carriage, bearing blocks slid-- ably mounted on the upright frame, suspension arms pivotally connected with the bearing blocks, a shovel depending from the forward end of the suspension arms, springs for yieldably supporting the bearing blocks, a graduated scale, a finger connected to one of the bearing blocks movable over the scale for indicating the weight of the load, means operatively connected with the rear end of the suspension arms for lowering the shovel, means for tilting the shovel when in lowered position, a main driving shaft, a primary motor connected with the main driving shaft, means for transmitting motion from the main driving shaft to one of the axles of the carriage, and an auxiliary motor for actuating the scoop tilting device.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS FULLBRIGHT.

Witnesses-z C. B. BRYANT, T. H- FORD. 

